Must Hear Monday: Britney Spears, “Hold It Against Me”

Britney Spears' comeback has arrived in baby steps--2007's Blackout was a feeble reentry into the biz while 2008's Circus restored her to former glory; now, her upcoming album is a full-blown grab for the pop music crown.

Spears’ voice sounds better than ever–sure, there’s some digital trickery, but you can hear her vocal range on the sing-along choruses and she sounds more engaged with the music than she has since her pre-head-shaving days.

“Hold It Against Me” is pure, undeniable dance pop. It kicks off with a pulsating bass-heavy beat that builds and builds until dropping off and allowing the pop princess, over shimmering synths, to craft a hook that worms its way into your ear and doesn’t let go. The club-thumping track is thanks to producers Max Martin and Dr. Luke–who are not only responsible for recent hits like Ke$ha’s “We Are Who We Are,” Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” and TK, but also Spears’ early work, including “…Hit Me Baby (One More Time).”